Author Archives: Science Media Centre
letter to Francis Maude regarding changes to the Civil Service Code
Writing to the minister for the Cabinet Office today, the SMC, Association of British Science Writers (ABSW) and Stempra have … read more
expert reaction to new research on Antarctic ice loss
A paper published in the journal Science has reported that the rate of loss of ice shelves, which hold back ice sheet flow, in the Antarctic has accelerated since 1994. read more
expert reaction to new study investigating antibiotics prescribed to pregnant women and incidence of cerebral palsy and epilepsy in babies
Researchers publishing in the journal PLOS ONE have investigated a potential link between use of antibiotics during pregnancy, and cerebral palsy and epilepsy in offspring. A link has been suggested previously, and the authors suggest that it is macrolide antibiotics which are associated with these illnesses. read more
antibiotics prescribed to pregnant women and incidence of cerebral palsy and epilepsy in babies
Researchers publishing in the journal PLOS ONE have investigated a potential link between use of antibiotics during pregnancy, and cerebral palsy and epilepsy in offspring. A link has been suggested previously, and the authors suggest that it is macrolide antibiotics which are associated with these illnesses. read more
expert reaction to study on antibiotic use and type 2 diabetes
A study published in the European Journal of Endocrinology has examined what effect the use of antibiotics might have on the incidence of diabetes. The authors report that in a UK cohort of patients, treatment with one course of antibiotics didn’t significantly alter risk of developing diabetes, but use of more than one course of specific antibiotics was associated with an increased incidence of developing type 2 diabetes. read more
expert reaction to World Cancer Research Fund report on alcohol consumption and liver cancer
The World Cancer Research Fund has published a report into diet, nutrition, physical activity, and their association with liver cancer. The report states that there is strong evidence that consumption of more than three alcoholic drinks per day, or having a BMI higher than recommended, can contribute to liver cancer. read more
expert reaction to two papers on air pollution and stroke/anxiety
Two papers have been published in The BMJ regarding the effects of air pollution on cases of stroke and symptoms of anxiety, with the research groups reporting an association between higher levels of air pollution and both illnesses. read more
expert reaction to Airbus A320 crash in French Alps
A Germanwings Airbus A320 airline has crashed in the French Alps while travelling between Barcelona and Duesseldorf. read more
very sick children: treatment at any cost?
Doctors dealing with end of life care for children and young people will be issued with new guidance by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), setting out when it can be considered no longer in the best interests of the child to prolong life at all costs. In the 10 years since the last version of the guidance was published, babies born at 22-25 weeks have better chances of survival and palliative care for children has become more widely available. But for some newborns, or children who have suffered serious infectious disease or catastrophic injury, very difficult decisions need to be taken by medics about how to act in that child’s best interests. read more
expert reaction to carcinogenicity classification of five pesticides by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified five pesticides as either probably or possible carcinogenic to humans. read more
comments ahead of the one year anniversary of the confirmation of the Ebola outbreak by the WHO, on 23 March 2014
The first anniversary of the current Ebola outbreak is on the 23rd of March. read more
expert reaction to study on dietary omega-3 supplements and attention in boys with and without ADHD
A paper published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology has studied the use of omega-3 supplements as a possible treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The authors report that in their cohort of forty boys, dietary omega-3 supplements reduced symptoms of ADHD. read more
expert reaction to the appointment of Prof Venki Ramakrishnan as the next President of the Royal Society
It has been announced that Professor Venki Ramakrishnan will be the next president of the Royal Society. Based at the University of Cambridge, Prof. Ramakrishnan won a Nobel Prize in 2009 for his work on ribosomes. read more
expert reaction to opinion piece on the use of rosuvastatin
A feature in The BMJ has argued that one particular type of statin should be withdrawn from use in the US, citing concerns around the evidence for health benefits and side effects. read more
expert reaction to study on diet soda consumption and abdominal fat in older adults
A study published in the journal Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has attempted to establish a link between waist circumference and intake of “diet” soft drinks in a population Americans over the age of 65. They report that those who consumed higher levels of these drinks were more likely to gain more weight over the follow up period. read more
expert reaction to Cyclone Pam, Vanuatu and climate change
The president of Vanuatu, Baldwin Lonsdale, has said that climate change is contributing to the extreme weather conditions seen by his country. read more
expert reaction to announcement that Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advises immunisation for 14 to 18 year-olds against meningococcal group W (MenW) disease
The UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has advised that immunisation for meningococcal group W disease be offered to 14-18 year olds, following a Public Health England report showing a rise in cases since 2009. read more
launch of East London community genome sequencing project
Bangladeshi and Pakistani people in East London have some of the highest rates of poor health in the UK and are disproportionately affected by diabetes, heart disease and other conditions. Experts from Queen Mary University of London are launching a large-scale medical research study – called East London Genes & Health – which aims to improve the health of these local communities by gathering information, for the first time, about their genetic makeup. read more
expert reaction to EFSA report on pesticide residues and food safety
The European Food Safety Authority has released a report on the levels of pesticide residues in foods, reporting that more than 97% of food analysed had pesticide levels which fell within legal limits, and around 55% of food analysed had undetectable levels of pesticides. read more
expert reaction to new paper studying pandemic potential of second wave of H7N9 influenza in China
A paper published in the journal Nature has reported the spread of the H7N9 strain of avian influenza from eastern to southern China, and the establishment of distinct variations in different regions. The authors suggest that these findings have relevance for wider disease monitoring and control. read more